Written by Myriads on 10.05.2014 at 03:09

Great list here! You have a bunch of my favourite bands and albums listed and the top few spots are definitely deserved. I highly recommend trying a new band called Akathisia. They've just released a digital EP which sounds closer to Widow's Weeds than almost anything else I've ever heard from the last ten years: http://akathisia.bandcamp.com/album/first-impact

Thanks, man! I'm going to check it out for sure. I mean, if it's like Widow's Weeds, then it should definitely be my cup of tea. Problem is, I basically only add full-length albums from bands that are featured on MS. If it's really good, I might add this EP though.

Written by Myriads on 10.05.2014 at 04:27

Another suggestion while I'm at it :p Nox Aurea from Sweden. Their first album is the biggest piece of Draconian worship ever, while their second is a little less heavy on the gothic metal part and more on death doom. Two members went on to form When Nothing Remains, who have worked with Johan of Draconian himself now!

I'm familiar with Nox Aurea and even had them on this list at one point. For some reason I deleted the album again, don't know why though. I'll re-listen to one (or both) of the albums and then I might add them again. But for the record, whether it's funeral doom, death doom or gothic doom, it's kind of irrelevant for this list. Yes, most of the albums here are gothic or have gothic influences, but that's because most "beauty and the beast" metal is (partially) gothic metal (as you probably know already ).

Written by Myriads on 10.05.2014 at 03:09

I highly recommend trying a new band called Akathisia. They've just released a digital EP which sounds closer to Widow's Weeds than almost anything else I've ever heard from the last ten years: http://akathisia.bandcamp.com/album/first-impact

Okay, I listened to it and from what I've heard I wouldn't say it's very similar to Tristania's work. This is pretty much death doom with gothic elements. In any case very nice stuff indeed and a promising band. Looking forward to see a full-length album by these guys. But I won't add it to this list because of three reasons: it's an EP, they're not featured on MS, and the female vocals weren't present enough in the music for me to consider them a "beauty and the beast" band. The vocals are more like the Shape of Despair female background vocals. And those don't really count or else I'd have included Shape of Despair as well for this list.

By the way, have you heard this album:



Without a doubt the best gothic doom album of the last few years. If you haven't checked it out, you really should. I just ranked it on this list as well. Also check out Lethian Dreams - Red Silence Lodge, which is their new album. They weren't that great a week ago when I saw them live (female vocals weren't loud enough, for instance), but this album surely is very good. I replaced the debut with this one, because this is probably their best album to date.

Yeah, I've given Akathisia a few more listens now and the resemblance to Tristania is a little less obvious to me too. Widow's Weeds just has a very unique atmosphere that I find almost no other album has ever come close to being able to recreate, and Akathisia did remind me of WW, perhaps not so much in the music itself as the mood it evoked. It's definitely among my very favourite releases of the year so far though. And I have indeed heard Rise of Avernus! I live in Australia and keep moving from city to city and missing their tour dates but I agree that their album is quite fantastic.

Also really enjoying Red Silence Lodge lately, however I don't think it ought to be present on this list as there are absolutely no male vocals (clean or growled) present. I've been listening to Orphanage a lot lately and By Time Alone is really very good, especially considering that it was released back in 1996, so make sure to give it a few solid spins so it can get a good spot on the list!

Written by Myriads on 20.05.2014 at 07:31

Yeah, I've given Akathisia a few more listens now and the resemblance to Tristania is a little less obvious to me too. Widow's Weeds just has a very unique atmosphere that I find almost no other album has ever come close to being able to recreate, and Akathisia did remind me of WW, perhaps not so much in the music itself as the mood it evoked. It's definitely among my very favourite releases of the year so far though. And I have indeed heard Rise of Avernus! I live in Australia and keep moving from city to city and missing their tour dates but I agree that their album is quite fantastic.

Also really enjoying Red Silence Lodge lately, however I don't think it ought to be present on this list as there are absolutely no male vocals (clean or growled) present. I've been listening to Orphanage a lot lately and By Time Alone is really very good, especially considering that it was released back in 1996, so make sure to give it a few solid spins so it can get a good spot on the list!

Huh, there are no male vocals at all on the new Lethian Dreams? I don't really know then why I put it on this list, hahaha. So yeah, you're right, it indeed doesn't belong here.

Australia huh? I guess it's understandable you keep missing them, seeing as Australia is damn huge. Hell, even if a band is playing in the north of the Netherlands I won't bother (since I live in south) attending the gig, and this country is tiny in comparison.

So far I really haven't given the Orphanage albums the time they deserve. Will be doing so sooner or later though.

Not a particular favorite band of mine, but something to look into maybe.

Written by CyberSymphony on 11.08.2014 at 22:34

Not a particular favorite band of mine, but something to look into maybe.

Already checked an album from Elis out and can remember I didn't like it at all. It sounded way too "soft" for my taste. But I'll check out your suggestion nonetheless.

Yeah, the band does have a softer edge to their music and does get boring too although the female vocalist is rather nice.
Also check out the debut from Tales Of Dark..., gothic/melodic doom group.
And also Siebenbürgen 's album Delictum, a melodic black band with female vocals.

Written by CyberSymphony on 11.08.2014 at 23:22

Yeah, the band does have a softer edge to their music and does get boring too although the female vocalist is rather nice.
Also check out the debut from Tales Of Dark..., gothic/melodic doom group.
And also Siebenbürgen 's album Delictum, a melodic black band with female vocals.

Saying "thanks for the suggestions" is a very standard reply, but this time I really mean it. Because Tales of Dark... seems to be the sort of stuff I would enjoy. And I have to be honest, I barely listen to gothic anymore, which I kind of regret. Siebenbürgen also seems like it's right up my alley (lame expression, I know). Found all three albums on Youtube as well, which is nice (as I have said many times already, I rarely download anything).

Not sure if you still look at this, but you might want to check out a few bands listed below.

Amederia'a albums Sometimes We Have Wings and Unheard Prayer

Edenian's albums Winter Shades and Rise Of The Nephilim

Symphonian's album Incarnation Of Reality

Aut Mori's album Первая Слеза Осени (its a Russian band, with Russian vocals, but the music is nice if you dont mind non-English vocals)

Written by Vincint2002 on 30.09.2014 at 21:47

Not sure if you still look at this, but you might want to check out a few bands listed below.

Amederia'a albums Sometimes We Have Wings and Unheard Prayer

Edenian's albums Winter Shades and Rise Of The Nephilim

Symphonian's album Incarnation Of Reality

Aut Mori's album Первая Слеза Осени (its a Russian band, with Russian vocals, but the music is nice if you dont mind non-English vocals)

Hehe, I've stopped updating most of my lists (or rarely update them), mainly due to lack of loads of free time which I did have when I created most of these lists...

Anyway, will still check out your suggestions, granted they are either on Youtube, Grooveshark or Bandcamp, so thanks.

Ancestral Legacy - Saw this band in 'Latest band additions' but only heard their debut 'Of Magic Illusions'. Kinda reminds me a bit of Tristania. Something to look into?

Written by CyberSymphony on 03.10.2014 at 21:07

Ancestral Legacy - Saw this band in 'Latest band additions' but only heard their debut 'Of Magic Illusions'. Kinda reminds me a bit of Tristania. Something to look into?

Thanks for the suggestion. Their last two albums are on Grooveshark and I'm going to check out their 2nd album first. Couldn't find the debut...

Quite the list I would have made I missed frst two Silentium albums, also first Macbeth's albums, the last of SIlent Cry, On THorns I Lay debut album, Sunterra's "Gracefull tunes".

For me Silentium is one of the top's together with TSOTB, Tristania and Penumbra. Other is more like average, but still great stuff.

And I'm glad to see you added Via Mistica, because they were the most underrated gothic metal band in those years, IMO.

Oh, and I just realised, there is no Theatres des Vampires. 1997-2003 period is a top notch beauty and the beast gothic metal, I believe it should be included here

And also I recommend to check polish Sacriversum, whic last two albums were more than amazing.

Something else for your gothic adventures,
Diathra - Gothic doom - Seen this band quite a bit on MS, from what I've heard their debut is probably the most doom influenced while their later stuff is more female fronted gothic. Not the best gothic band I've ever heard, but worth a listen

Not used to getting so many suggestions for this list. Will be checking them out... some day.

Written by annodomini on 12.10.2014 at 10:18

Quite the list I would have made I missed frst two Silentium albums, also first Macbeth's albums, the last of SIlent Cry, On THorns I Lay debut album, Sunterra's "Gracefull tunes".

For me Silentium is one of the top's together with TSOTB, Tristania and Penumbra. Other is more like average, but still great stuff.

And I'm glad to see you added Via Mistica, because they were the most underrated gothic metal band in those years, IMO.

Thanks for the suggestions. I must admit I haven't heard any albums by these bands, so nice to see there's still more good stuff in this subgenre. For some reason all of your suggestions are on on Grooveshark, which is very nice indeed. Will be checking out one album of each band and then add them if I like 'em (I'll let you know).

Written by annodomini on 12.10.2014 at 14:11

Oh, and I just realised, there is no Theatres des Vampires. 1997-2003 period is a top notch beauty and the beast gothic metal, I believe it should be included here

And also I recommend to check polish Sacriversum, whic last two albums were more than amazing.

I somehow never got around to check out Theatres des Vampires. Judged by the ratings, Suicide Vampire seems one of their best (?), so will check out that one. And sorry, but I won't add the last suggestions since they're not on MS.

Written by CyberSymphony on 13.10.2014 at 20:38

Something else for your gothic adventures,
Diathra - Gothic doom - Seen this band quite a bit on MS, from what I've heard their debut is probably the most doom influenced while their later stuff is more female fronted gothic. Not the best gothic band I've ever heard, but worth a listen

Thanks, but I can't seem to find any of their stuff online. Streaming only, since I don't download. If you can provide me with a link so I can stream it, I'll check it out.

Written by Erik M. on 13.10.2014 at 22:56

Written by annodomini on 12.10.2014 at 10:18

Quite the list I would have made I missed frst two Silentium albums, also first Macbeth's albums, the last of SIlent Cry, On THorns I Lay debut album, Sunterra's "Gracefull tunes".

For me Silentium is one of the top's together with TSOTB, Tristania and Penumbra. Other is more like average, but still great stuff.

And I'm glad to see you added Via Mistica, because they were the most underrated gothic metal band in those years, IMO.

Thanks for the suggestions. I must admit I haven't heard any albums by these bands, so nice to see there's still more good stuff in this subgenre. For some reason all of your suggestions are on on Grooveshark, which is very nice indeed. Will be checking out one album of each band and then add them if I like 'em (I'll let you know).

Written by annodomini on 12.10.2014 at 14:11

Oh, and I just realised, there is no Theatres des Vampires. 1997-2003 period is a top notch beauty and the beast gothic metal, I believe it should be included here

And also I recommend to check polish Sacriversum, whic last two albums were more than amazing.

I somehow never got around to check out Theatres des Vampires. Judged by the ratings, Suicide Vampire seems one of their best (?), so will check out that one. And sorry, but I won't add the last suggestions since they're not on MS.

I know, I just suggested it for your listening pleassure Let me know, when you get into those albums

Written by Erik M. on 13.10.2014 at 22:56

Written by CyberSymphony on 13.10.2014 at 20:38

Something else for your gothic adventures,
Diathra - Gothic doom - Seen this band quite a bit on MS, from what I've heard their debut is probably the most doom influenced while their later stuff is more female fronted gothic. Not the best gothic band I've ever heard, but worth a listen

Thanks, but I can't seem to find any of their stuff online. Streaming only, since I don't download. If you can provide me with a link so I can stream it, I'll check it out.

I can't find much about this band either, they have songs on YouTube though (not full albums though). If I find anything else fitting this list, I'll post again
You most definitely have the best gothic bands listed anyway.

Written by annodomini on 14.10.2014 at 08:11

I know, I just suggested it for your listening pleassure Let me know, when you get into those albums

Thanks again. You really know quite a lot of these bands it seems. Feel free to make a similar list if you feel like it. Just listened to Silentium - Altum and really enjoyed it. Great stuff. Consider it added.

Will be checking out the others in the coming weeks. I'll let you know when I checked everything out.

Written by CyberSymphony on 14.10.2014 at 19:07

I can't find much about this band either, they have songs on YouTube though (not full albums though). If I find anything else fitting this list, I'll post again
You most definitely have the best gothic bands listed anyway.

Alright, thanks man. Your gothic list is great too, for the record (even though there are a few albums on it that are misplaced, in my opinion ).

@ Erik M.
Great list, I found a lot of my favorites in there, especially "Widow's Weeds", "Lake Of Sorrow" and "Velvet Darkness They Fear".

Do you know the Gothic Metal band Mandrake? I don't like their newer albums that much (they also don't fit into the "Beauty And The Beast" scheme because grunts are missing in their newer works) but their debut "Forever" is great! That album belongs to my personal Gothic Metal Top 5.

http://metalstorm.net/bands/band.php?band_id=798&bandname=Mandrake

Written by Baribal on 16.10.2014 at 20:03

@ Erik M.
Great list, I found a lot of my favorites in there, especially "Widow's Weeds", "Lake Of Sorrow" and "Velvet Darkness They Fear".

Do you know the Gothic Metal band Mandrake? I don't like their newer albums that much (they also don't fit into the "Beauty And The Beast" scheme because grunts are missing in their newer works) but their debut "Forever" is great! That album belongs to my personal Gothic Metal Top 5.

http://metalstorm.net/bands/band.php?band_id=798&bandname=Mandrake

Thanks a lot! Yeah, your favourites are among my favourites as well. Not surprising as those albums are total classics in the genre. I do know Mandrake, but haven't listened to them. In any case, I added the album to the list (non-ranked) and when I have checked it out (enough times) I'll rank it (which might take a while though since I haven't found the album yet).

Silentium - Altum is now at #7, as it's one of the best albums of this style I've listened to. It really is top-notch gothic metal.

Changed the maximum albums/band to 2 instead of 3, so I deleted a Draconian and Tristania album. Having 3 albums/band is really too much, after all.

Also added Sunterra - Lost Times. Enjoyed this a hell a lot as well. Damn, this annodomini guy gave me quite a few great suggestions for this list. Didn't think I missed so many bands.

I've always had a soft spot for this vocal style.

Those first two Sirenia albums are extremely underrated.